Car coupler



' Dec.v29, 1959 w. J. METZGER 2,919,038

v CAR COUPLER Filed Oct. 5, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. VV/ZZ/AM J M57765? Dec. 29, 1959 w. J. METZGER CAR COUPLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1955 INVENTOR. l WZZMM/MZFQF CAR COUPLER William J. Metzger, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to National Malleable and Steel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 5, 1955, Serial No. 538,689

9 Claims. (Cl. 213-148) This invention pertains to car couplers and more particularly to improved anti-creep means for the lock of the coupler.

The invention is directed to a railway car coupler having a pivoted knuckle and a generally vertically movable lock for holding the knuckle in closed position. While the improvement is especially applicable to the older type A.A.R. (Association of American Railroads) bottom-operated, standard E coupler, which does not embody an articulated rotor lever, it may also be incorporated in other couplers of similar construction.

In the bottom-operated A.A.R. standard E coupler of the aforementioned type, anti-creep means is provided for limiting undesired upward movement of the lock so as to avoid inadvertent unlocking of the knuckle. More specifically, the locklifter link of the coupler is provided at its upper end with a forwardly extending anti-creep abutment which is adapted for engagement with the underside of a rearwardly extending lug on the forward wall of the lock opening in the coupler head to limit undesired upward movement of the lock. Although this particular anti-creep structure is satisfactory under ordinary service conditions, it is not adequate when unusual service conditions are encountered, as for ex ample, when the coupler is subjected to combined end and vertical shock. Under combined end and vertical shock the lock is thrown forwardly and upwardly while the upper end of the lock lifter link is cammed upwardly and rearwardly by the action of a trunnion on the link which is guided in a slot in the lock leg. This causes the anti-creep abutment on the lifter link to move from beneath the lug in the lock opening, thereby rendering the lock anti-creep ineffective and allowing the lock to move upward out of locking position. i

The present invention provides positive anti-creep protection by the provision of an anti-creep means on the rotor lever of the coupler. More specifically, one end of the rotor lever embodies a pivotally mounted latch member having an upwardly projecting lug near its free end, which is adapted for engagement with the rearward end of an opening in the coupler head when the coupler is subjected to vertical, end or combined end and vertical shock. When the latch member is in functioning position, the rotor lever cannot rotate and unintentional unlocking of the couplers is prevented.

In a modified form of the invention, the latch is provided with a shoulder that is adapted to engage a complementary shoulder on the underside of the coupler to preclude unintentional unlocking of the coupler. With either construction, positive anti-creep protection is provided whenever the coupler is subjected to shock conditions.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the invention to provide coupler anti-creep means that is effective under all types of shock conditions.

A further object is to provide improved coupler anticreep means that is easily applied to present car couplers States atent O without necessitating any structural changes in the coupler head or the lock.

A still further object of the invention is to provide anti-creep means for a car coupler that does not interfere with intentional coupler operation.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide coupler anti-creep means comprising latch means pivotally mounted on the rotor lever and adapted to cooperate with abutment means on the underside of the coupler to preclude accidental unlocking of the coupler when the latter is subjected to end, vertical or combined end and vertical shock.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a coupler embodying the invention, showing the parts in locked position and the anti-creep means on the rotor lever in reposed position.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the anti-creep means on the rotor lever engaged to preclude upward movement of the lock to unlocking position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the hook portion of the rotor lever illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the coupler shown in Fig. 1, showing the anti-creep on the rotor lever in functioning position following the application of a combined end and vertical shock to the coupler.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding to Fig. 5 but showing a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a knuckle type coupler having a head 10, the usual knuckle lock 12 and lock lifter or lock operating mechanism 14, these parts being those of a standard E coupler. The knuckle (not shown) is held in closed position by lock 12. When in locking position (Fig. l) the lock rests on the tail of the knuckle and on knuckle thrower member 15. Lock 12 has a depending portion or leg 16 which extends downwardly into opening 18 in the lower portion of the coupler head when the lock is in locking position. Leg 16 is swingable in a longitudinal direction when so disposed in opening 18.

Lock 12 is actuated by means of the aforementioned locklifter mechanism 14 which includes a lock lifter or toggle link 20, rotor lever 22, and uncoupling rod 24. Link member 20 comprises a shank portion 26 having a forwardly extending anti-creep shoulder 28 disposed at the upper end thereof. Shoulder 28 is adapted for engagement with the underside of anti-creep lug 30 on forward wall 32 of opening 18 to limit upward movement of lock 12 in the event that it should creep or accidentally bounce upwardly in service. Link 20 is pivotally and slidably connected at its upper end to the lock leg by means of trunnion 34 which is received in an upwardly and gearwardly sloping slot as in the lower portion of The lower end of link 20 is pivotally connected to bifurcated forwardly extending portion 40 of rotor lever 22 by means of rivet 42. The rearward end of rotor lever 22 embodies a hook portion 44 by means of which the lever is pivotally connected to cylindrical support member 46 formed on the underside of the coupler head. The member 46 is aligned with the axis of its cylindrical surface generally horizontal; this axis is the axis of rotation of the lever 22. Uncoupling rod 24 is connected to the rotor lever for actuation of the same.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that hook portion 44 of the rotor lever has a longitudinal slot 48 extending centrally thereof. Disposed in slot 48 is latch member 50 which is pivotally connected to lever 22 adjacent the forward end of the slot by means of pin 52. Latch 50 is of arcuate configuration and is free to swing upwardly with pin 52 as its pivot point. Extending from top radial surface 54 of the latch adjacent the free end thereof is a lug 56 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which is adapted for entry into opening 58 (Fig. 2) in arcuate flange 59 on the underside of the coupler whenever the coupler is subjected to shock, as will be hereinafter more thoroughly explained. When latch 50 is in its normal or reposed position in hook portion 44 of the rotor lever, the top surface 56a of lug 56 is preferably disposed flush with top radial surface 55 of the lever (Fig. 3), thus permitting free rotation of the latter during intentional unlocking of the coupler.

Operation of the coupler to effect intentional uncoupling is as follows: Starting with the coupler parts in normal locked position, as seen in Fig. l, actuation of uncoupling rod 24 causes rotor lever 22 to pivot in a clockwise direction. The initial rotation of lever 22 moves the lower end of lock lifter link 20 forwardly and upwardly and simultaneously therewith causes trunnion of rotor lever 22, leg 16 is forced rearwardly and upwardly until it contacts rear wall 64 of opening 18, in which position shoulder 28 on link 20 is clear of lug 30. Continued rotation of lever 22 forces lock 12 upward to a position in which it is out of locking relation to the knuckle,

The present invention provides an anti-creep means on the rotor lever that is positive in action and will form an effective anti-creep under all shock conditions to which the coupler is subjected in service. Operation of this novel anti-creep to prevent unintentional unlocking of the coupler is as follows: When a coupler embodying the invention is subjected to shock conditions of sufiicient intensity, latch 50 is thrown upwardly and forwardly about its pivot pin 52 until lug 56 thereon enters opening 58 in flange 59 on the underside of the coupler. The surface 56b of the lug, facing in a direction generally away from the'pivot axis of the latch 50, i.e., the longitudinal axis of pin 52, engages rear abutment surface 61' of the opening,*as shown in'Figs. 2 and 5. With the parts in this position, it will be seen that rotation of the rotor lever in a clockwise directionas viewed in Fig. 2 is prevented and therefore the operating mechanism cannot function to cause the lock to move upward out of lockingposition.

- Fig. 2 illustrates theoperation of the auxiliary antioreep when the coupler is subjected to vertical shock. It willlbe seen that the shock force has caused the lock to move. upwardly from its locking position while latch member 50 has been caused to pivot about connecting pin 52 to a position in which lug 56 has entered opening 58 in flange 59 on the underside of the coupler andis in engagement with rear abutment surface, 61 of the openingf Further upward movement of the lock and rotation of the rotor lever are therefore prevented and unintentional unlocking of the coupler is precluded. It will bev observed that the rearward side of lug 56 has been tapered as at 56b so as to allow more time for the lug to enter opening 58' during pivotal movement of the rotor lever- 14 is caused to rotate in a clockwise manner. It will be seen, however, that the shock has also caused latch member 50 to pivot forwardly about connecting pin 52, whereupon lug 56 has entered opening 58 to engage rear abutment surface 61 and thus prevent further rotation of the rotor lever and upward movement of the lock.

It will be obvious that the invention also provides positive anti-creep protection whenever the coupler is subjected to simple end shock. Under the latter condition, lug 56 on latch 50 will engage abutment surface 61 in opening 58 in a manner similar to that described above to prevent unintentional uncoupling.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that latch pin hole 66 is of somewhat large diameter than pin 52 so that latch abutment surface 68 and latch shoulders 70 may engage seat 72 and shoulders 74, respectively, on the rotor lever, the pin functioning primarily as a retaining means. Thus all of the buifingforce resulting from the engagement of lug 56 on the latch with rear surface 61 of opening 58 is transferred directly to either seat 72 or shoulders 74, or both, thereby entirely relieving pin 52 of all of the force.

The modification of the invention shown in Fig. 6 comprises arearwardly facing shoulder 76 on the top forward portion of latch 80 adapted for'engagement with forwardly facing shoulder 82 on flange 59 on the underside of the coupler. When the coupler is subjected to either end, vertical, or combined end and vertical shock, latch 80 rotates upwardly and forwardly about pivot pin 52,'as in the previous embodiment, and engagement between shoulders 76 and 82 Will occur to prevent rotation ofthe rotor lever and preclude unlocking of the coupler. Vertical clearance is provided between the top surface 76a of latch shoulder 76 and bottom surface 60 of flange 59 to permit free rotation of the rotor lever when latch 80 is in reposed position and intentional uncoupling by means of the uncoupling rod is desired. Lug 86 is provided on the rearward end of latch 80 as a counterweight to assist the return of the latch to its reposed position. Lug 86 may also serve as an anti-creep in the event shoulder 76 should become Worn to the point of ineffectiveness. In all other respects, latch 80 is substantially identical with the first described embodiment of the invention.

From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings it will be readily understood that the invention provides novel anti-creep mechanism for a knuckle type coupler comprising pivotally mounted abutment means 'on the rotor lever of the coupler adapted for engagement with other abutment means on the underside of the coupler head to preclude accidental unlocking of the coupler when the latter is subjected to various shock conditions.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a car coupler comprising a head and movable lock, lock-operating means including a rotor lever for actuating said lock, said lever comprising a portion rotatably mounting the lever on said head with respect to a generally horizontal axis in fixed relation with the head, a latchmember supported, at inoperative position, adjacent an upper surface of said lever portion in transverse overhead relation to the axis of rotation of the lever, one portion of the latch being pivotally attached to the lever and another portion being free to swing to a position upwardly and away from the lever portion in response to vertical shock-forces applied to the coupler, said free latch portion having an abutment surface facing in a direction generally away from the pivot axis of the latch, abutment means on said head spaced above the latch in its inoperative position for engaging said abutment surface, said abutment surface and abutment means being relatively spaced with respect to said axis of the lever at said inoperative position of the latch to avoid engagement during rotation of the lever.

2. A car coupler in accordance with claim 1 wherein said one portion of the latch is forward with respect to the free portion, and the free portion has a lug on the rearward end thereof for engagement with said abutment means of the head.

3. A car coupler in accordance with claim 1 wherein a flange on the underside of the head has an opening extending therethrough in a generally vertical direction providing an abutment surface as said abutment means.

4. A rotor lever for a knuckle type coupler comprising a hook portion for pivotably mounting the lever on the coupler, a latch member supported, at inoperative position, adjacent an upper surface of said lever portion in transverse overhead relation to the axis of rotation of the lever, one portion of the latch being pivotably attached to the lever and another portion being free to swing to a position upwardly and away from the lever in response to vertical shock forces applied to the lever, said latter portion comprising a shoulder facing rearwardly from said pivotal portion adapting it for engagement with a forwardly-facing abutment on an associated coupler positioned overhead.

5. A rotor lever for a knuckle coupler comprising a hook portion for rotatably mounting the lever on the coupler, the top of said portion having a slot extending centrally thereof transversely of and above the axis of rotation of the lever, a latch member disposed, at inoperative position, in said slot with its forward portion pivotably connected to the lever and its rearward portion being free to swing upwardly out of the slot in response to vertical shock forces applied to the lever into an operative position wherein it is adapted to engage a forwardly-facing abutment of the head in relatively rotatable relation with the lever.

6. A car coupler as defined in claim 1, including a look lifter link connected at opposite ends to said lock and to said lever, said lever portion being hook shaped and having an upwardly-exposed recess in overhead relation to the axis of rotation of the lever, said latch member being disposed within the recess in inoperative position.

7. A car coupler as defined in claim 1, wherein the headhas a flange disposed in close overhead relation with said lever portion, said latch member, in inoperative position, being disposed in a recess in the top of said lever portion, and said flange providing an abutment surface as said abutment means.

8. A rotor lever for a car coupler comprising a hook portion, a latch member pivotally secured to the forward end of said portion and being swingable upwardly above the top of said portion, said latch having a lug on the free end thereof, said lug being engageable with an abutment on an associated coupler upon predetermined upward movement of said latch to preclude unintentional operation of the lever when the coupler is subjected to a shock that would tend to actuate said lever.

9. A car coupler comprising a head, a movable lock, said lock having a downwardly extending leg, a lock lifter link operatively connected to said leg for actuating said lock, a rotor lever having a hook portion pivotally mounted on said head, said lever being connected to said link for actuating the same, said head having a ledge on the underside thereof overlying said hook portion, an abutment surface on said ledge, and a latch member pivotally mounted on said hook portion, said latch being rotatable upwardly into engagement with said surface to preclude unintentional operation of said lever when the coupler is subjected to a shock that would tend to actuate said lever.

. References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 2,393,912 Kayler Jan. 29, 1946 2,498,958 Kinne Feb. 28, 1950 2,568,312 Wolfe Sept. 18, 1951 2,585,889 Wolfe Feb. 12, 1952 

